The Music Department as part of ‘Performing Arts’ at The Wilnecote School has one simple aim, to find and nurture talent. Through work in lessons and a range of extra-curricular opportunities, the department provides a platform for students to share and develop their talents. These talents are recognised, appreciated and celebrated.

The music department consists of two main teaching rooms, one with a class set of computers hosting the ‘Sibelius’ music software and one with a set of Yamaha keyboards. There is also a recording studio as well as 5 individual practice rooms.

Over the two year Key Stage 3 programme, students will develop the key skills of performing, composing, listening and appraising. The Music Department aims to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self- confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

All students have access to a variety of musical instruments as well as a high quality music software program giving students easy access to composing techniques. The musical projects at Key Stage 3 are designed to be motivating and engaging for not only beginners but also developing players and musically experienced pupils too.

The skills which pupils develop in Key Stage 3 are designed to enable them to continue their study at Key Stage 4.

KS3 Course Content

Year 7

Pitch Perfect – Students will learn the ‘Elements of Music’ as well as focus on ‘Performing Skills’.

Musical Menagerie – Students will learn how to read music including notation, pitch and duration.

Pianomania – Keyboard Skills – students will build on their reading music skills as well as creating chords and simple bass parts.

Instruments of the Orchestra – Students will learn the instrument family groups as well as appraising pieces of music.

Ukulele – Students will learn the five chord Ukulele trick!

Live Lounge – Building on skills learnt this year, student will perform in a class concert with either a solo piece or ensemble work.

Year 8

The History of Music – Through performing and listening students will create a musical timeline from Medieval time to present day.

Putting a Band Together – Students will create a 3-4 member band and then compose and perform a Reggae influenced composition.

Programme Music – Students will explore ways of composing music to create an image/story.

Bhangra – Students will learn the history and main features of modern Bhangra through listening, performing, composing and appraising.

STOMP – Students will be able to create a ‘Stomp’ inspired rhythmic piece using various materials, different timbres and techniques.

Live Lounge 2 – Students perform a more challenging musical piece as part of an ensemble.

Assessment:

In year 7 students receive a baseline assessment that determines their knowledge and experience of music so far allowing assessment of their current level as they enter secondary education.

Student’s performances will be assessed at the mid-point of each scheme and again at the end.

Students will keep a weekly record of tasks undertaken including self and peer evaluations.

During the final week students will complete a written evaluation of their individual or ensemble work.

Resources:

Students will use a variety of musical instruments including percussion, keyboards and ukulele. They will listen to and appraise a wide range of music from across the world. Students will be given opportunities to listen to live music performances through visiting musicians and extra-curricular activities.

Summary:

GCSE Music allows students to develop their understanding of how music is created through four Areas of Study. These provide focus and detail of specific areas of music. In the course students learn how to compose and develop skills in performing and appraising music.

AREA OF STUDY 1 – My Music.

This is a study of the students chosen instrument, which can include voice, DJing or sequencing. Students apply their understanding to the study of a piece which is within their capabilities and in a genre or style of their choice. They should then study the role of their instrument in it and techniques used to create the performance. This will then lead to the performance/ recording of the piece, and a composition to a brief written by the student.

AREA OF STUDY 2 – The Concerto Through Time.

This is a study of the concerto and its development from 1650 to 1910 through the Baroque Solo Concerto, the Baroque Concerto Grosso, the Classical Concerto and the Romantic Concerto. Students will study the features of a concerto and how this developed and changed. They will need to study and understand how composers of concertos use musical elements and compositional devices in their concertos. This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief).

AREA OF STUDY 3 – Rhythms of the World

This is a study of music from four geographical regions of the world:

India and Punjab

Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

Africa and Central

South America

Students will study and develop an understanding of the characteristic rhythmic features of:

Students will need to know the musical, cultural and technical features of each genre studied. This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief)

AREA OF STUDY 4 – FILM MUSIC

This is a study a range of music used for films. Students will study and develop an understanding of how composers create music to support, express, complement and enhance mood, atmosphere, characters and for dramatic effect. Students will develop an understanding of how composers use music dramatically and expressively through a variety of musical elements and compositional devices. This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief).

AREA OF STUDY 5 – Conventions of Pop

This is a study a range of popular music from the 1950s to the present day, focussing on:

Rock ‘n’ Roll of the 1950s and 1960s

Rock Anthems of the 1970s and 1980s

Pop Ballads of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s

Solo Artists from 1990 to the present day.

Students will study and develop an understanding of typical musical characteristics, conventions and features of the specified genres.

This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief).

Assessment:

Controlled Assessment – this comprises 60% of the GCSE course.
Performance = 30%
Students must produce a performance for their own instrument and an ensemble performance. Together, these performances must last at least 4 minutes.
Composition = 30%
Students must also produce a composition for their own instrument to a brief written by them and a second composition based on one of the areas of study and to a brief set by OCR. Together these pieces must last at least 3 minutes.

EXAMINATION:

LISTENING AND APPRAISING – 40% of the total GCSE mark. (1.5 HOURS)
This will assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the content of Areas of Study 2, 3, 4 and 5

Resources:

Students will use a variety of musical instruments as well as have access to the Sibelius software for composition work. They will listen to and appraise a wide range of music from across the world. Students will be given many opportunities to perform their own music as well as listen to live music performances through visiting musicians and extra-curricular activities.

Music Concerts – Students from all years who show a musical skill are encouraged to perform in the music concerts we put on throughout the year,

this helps with improvement of musical and performance skills but also confidence, group work etc.

Arts Spectacular – Working with the rest of the Performing Arts faculty we put on an annual Arts Spectacular show in the Summer term – this is a fantastic opportunities for all students to share their talents and what they have been doing in lessons.

Choir – The choir is open to all ages and rehearses once a week from February half term onward. We cover a wide range of musical styles and the performances are showcased in the music concerts and Arts spectacular.

School Production – Working with the rest of the Performing Arts faculty we have a strong tradition of producing an annual show, which all students are encouraged to audition for.

Summer Arts Festival – There is an annual Arts Festival towards the end of the summer term. This is where we try to arrange as many school performances to showcase work produced throughout the year; visiting practitioners to give students experiences of other musical cultures and styles; trips to musical performances and productions, to give the students experience of professional theatres and works and also trips to open students eyes to different musical careers, e.g. In previous years students have visited radio station Touch FM.

Over the two year Key Stage 3 programme, students will develop the key skills of performing, composing, listening and appraising. The Music Department aims to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self- confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

All students have access to a variety of musical instruments as well as a high quality music software program giving students easy access to composing techniques. The musical projects at Key Stage 3 are designed to be motivating and engaging for not only beginners but also developing players and musically experienced pupils too.

The skills which pupils develop in Key Stage 3 are designed to enable them to continue their study at Key Stage 4.

KS3 Course Content

Year 7

Pitch Perfect – Students will learn the ‘Elements of Music’ as well as focus on ‘Performing Skills’.

Musical Menagerie – Students will learn how to read music including notation, pitch and duration.

Pianomania – Keyboard Skills – students will build on their reading music skills as well as creating chords and simple bass parts.

Instruments of the Orchestra – Students will learn the instrument family groups as well as appraising pieces of music.

Ukulele – Students will learn the five chord Ukulele trick!

Live Lounge – Building on skills learnt this year, student will perform in a class concert with either a solo piece or ensemble work.

Year 8

The History of Music – Through performing and listening students will create a musical timeline from Medieval time to present day.

Putting a Band Together – Students will create a 3-4 member band and then compose and perform a Reggae influenced composition.

Programme Music – Students will explore ways of composing music to create an image/story.

Bhangra – Students will learn the history and main features of modern Bhangra through listening, performing, composing and appraising.

STOMP – Students will be able to create a ‘Stomp’ inspired rhythmic piece using various materials, different timbres and techniques.

Live Lounge 2 – Students perform a more challenging musical piece as part of an ensemble.

Assessment:

In year 7 students receive a baseline assessment that determines their knowledge and experience of music so far allowing assessment of their current level as they enter secondary education.

Student’s performances will be assessed at the mid-point of each scheme and again at the end.

Students will keep a weekly record of tasks undertaken including self and peer evaluations.

During the final week students will complete a written evaluation of their individual or ensemble work.

Resources:

Students will use a variety of musical instruments including percussion, keyboards and ukulele. They will listen to and appraise a wide range of music from across the world. Students will be given opportunities to listen to live music performances through visiting musicians and extra-curricular activities.

GCSE Music allows students to develop their understanding of how music is created through four Areas of Study. These provide focus and detail of specific areas of music. In the course students learn how to compose and develop skills in performing and appraising music.

AREA OF STUDY 1 – My Music.

This is a study of the students chosen instrument, which can include voice, DJing or sequencing. Students apply their understanding to the study of a piece which is within their capabilities and in a genre or style of their choice. They should then study the role of their instrument in it and techniques used to create the performance. This will then lead to the performance/ recording of the piece, and a composition to a brief written by the student.

AREA OF STUDY 2 – The Concerto Through Time.

This is a study of the concerto and its development from 1650 to 1910 through the Baroque Solo Concerto, the Baroque Concerto Grosso, the Classical Concerto and the Romantic Concerto. Students will study the features of a concerto and how this developed and changed. They will need to study and understand how composers of concertos use musical elements and compositional devices in their concertos. This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief).

AREA OF STUDY 3 – Rhythms of the World

This is a study of music from four geographical regions of the world:

India and Punjab

Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East

Africa and Central

South America

Students will study and develop an understanding of the characteristic rhythmic features of:

Students will need to know the musical, cultural and technical features of each genre studied. This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief)

AREA OF STUDY 4 – FILM MUSIC

This is a study a range of music used for films. Students will study and develop an understanding of how composers create music to support, express, complement and enhance mood, atmosphere, characters and for dramatic effect. Students will develop an understanding of how composers use music dramatically and expressively through a variety of musical elements and compositional devices. This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief).

AREA OF STUDY 5 – Conventions of Pop

This is a study a range of popular music from the 1950s to the present day, focussing on:

Rock ‘n’ Roll of the 1950s and 1960s

Rock Anthems of the 1970s and 1980s

Pop Ballads of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s

Solo Artists from 1990 to the present day.

Students will study and develop an understanding of typical musical characteristics, conventions and features of the specified genres.

This will be assessed within the listening exam and this unit may also inspire a second composition (written to a set brief).

Assessment:

Controlled Assessment – this comprises 60% of the GCSE course.
Performance = 30%
Students must produce a performance for their own instrument and an ensemble performance. Together, these performances must last at least 4 minutes.
Composition = 30%
Students must also produce a composition for their own instrument to a brief written by them and a second composition based on one of the areas of study and to a brief set by OCR. Together these pieces must last at least 3 minutes.

EXAMINATION:

LISTENING AND APPRAISING – 40% of the total GCSE mark. (1.5 HOURS)
This will assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of the content of Areas of Study 2, 3, 4 and 5

Resources:

Students will use a variety of musical instruments as well as have access to the Sibelius software for composition work. They will listen to and appraise a wide range of music from across the world. Students will be given many opportunities to perform their own music as well as listen to live music performances through visiting musicians and extra-curricular activities.

Music Concerts – Students from all years who show a musical skill are encouraged to perform in the music concerts we put on throughout the year,

this helps with improvement of musical and performance skills but also confidence, group work etc.

Arts Spectacular – Working with the rest of the Performing Arts faculty we put on an annual Arts Spectacular show in the Summer term – this is a fantastic opportunities for all students to share their talents and what they have been doing in lessons.

Choir – The choir is open to all ages and rehearses once a week from February half term onward. We cover a wide range of musical styles and the performances are showcased in the music concerts and Arts spectacular.

School Production – Working with the rest of the Performing Arts faculty we have a strong tradition of producing an annual show, which all students are encouraged to audition for.

Summer Arts Festival – There is an annual Arts Festival towards the end of the summer term. This is where we try to arrange as many school performances to showcase work produced throughout the year; visiting practitioners to give students experiences of other musical cultures and styles; trips to musical performances and productions, to give the students experience of professional theatres and works and also trips to open students eyes to different musical careers, e.g. In previous years students have visited radio station Touch FM.